A life-affirming story of the extraordinary friendship between a boy and his dog. Perfect for fans of Hannah Gold, Katya Balen and Patrick Ness

THE STORY OF AN EXTRAORDINARY FRIENDSHIP.

'Incredibly moving, tender and heartfelt' Hannah Gold

'A heart-melting book that shows us there's always hope and love to be found even in the midst of grief' Nizrana Farook

Ten-year-old Rhys really loves dogs. When he finds a lost black Labrador with big conker eyes and ears like soft velvet, he can't quite believe his luck. Nobody comes forward to claim Worthington, giving Rhys the perfect opportunity to prove he's a good owner. But when Rhys moves to London to live with his estranged dad who hates dogs, Rhys decides to keep Worthington secret.

Struggling to connect with his dad in a new city, Rhys takes comfort in Worthington. But he soon discovers that looking after a secret dog is anything but easy, and he knows that before long he'll have to confront his fears and find a way to tell Dad...

Phenomenally moving and beautifully written, My Dog shows us that accepting the present doesn't mean forgetting the past - in a story that will live with you for ever.

New for 2025, a beautifully illustrated and heartfelt story for children about a boy and his dog

About the Author

Olivia Wakeford writes a lot about grief, which really means she writes about love. And dogs: she believes every story should have a dog in it! Olivia has worked in film and television, been a scriptwriter, dog-walker, PA and more, but her favourite job is writing novels for children. Olivia graduated with distinction from the MA in Writing for Children at Bath Spa University, she can ride a unicycle (badly) and is addicted to salt and vinegar crisps. She was born in Wales and now lives in London with her husband and their socially awkward Labrador, Obi. My Dog is her debut novel.

@livvywivvy | @wakefordwrites

Reviews

'An incredibly moving, tender and heartfelt story. Beautifully and sensitively told, My Dog is a stunning debut novel by a very talented author' Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear

'This is a book about a boy and a dog, but it's about so much more. It'll make you cry and want to hug your loved ones tight. Compellingly written, this is a heart-melting book that shows us there's always hope and love to be found even in the midst of grief. A five-star read' Nizrana Farook, author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant

'Beautifully and tenderly told. Full of heart and more than a little magic' Tia Fisher, author of Crossing the Line

Book Information
ISBN 9780008658588
Author Olivia Wakeford
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint HarperCollins
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 270g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 18mm